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To 0 I s & Mat e ria I S High-quality antique woodworking tools can command very steep prices, and that puts them out of reach of many woodworkers. As a result, an increasing number of boutique toolmakers are offering wellmade reproductions for sale at nonauction prices. The latest to enter the market is Kelly Tool Works. Tim Kelly and his wife, Kristen, began their business by manufacturing a copy of the Miller Falls No. 1 spokeshave. This unusual-looking tool, which resembles a cigar, has the ability to cut a very small radius. I found it perfect for cleaning up Windsor chair seats and the tight instep of a cabriole leg. Kelly's elegant version is milled of high-carbon steel and fitted with slender rosewood handles. The'company also produces a delightful miniature chisel plane that fits in the palm of your hand. It measures blade. The Kelly design is about half the size of the Lie-Nielsen version. I also tried Kelly's chisel plane and shoulder plane. All of these tools perform beautifully. They are easy to adjust, they hold their settings, and the blades keep an edge even after rigorous use. I find some fault, however, with the fit Y/2 and finish on some of Kelly's tools. For instance, the sole of the small chisel plane in. long and has a 1-in.-wide (continued) Affordable reproduction hand tools from Kelly Tool Works Hand-crafted hand tools. The Kelly Tool Works line includes (from left) a shoulder plane, a spokeshave and a chisel plane. reveals a small threaded hole for the main hold-down screw. Although it doesn't seem to affect the tool's performance, it's just plain odd. Also, metal filler material sometimes is used to hide small gaps in the dovetails, which join the sides of the planes to the soles. I think these design and manufacturing Rali Press is a universal vise The Rali Press looks like a cross between a bar clamp and a bench vise. Each unit has a pair of jaws that can be positioned anywhere along the length of the bar. The unit can easily be attached to a bench. It's a bit cumbersome to tighten the adjustable jaw if it is positioned anywhere other than at tile end of the bar beca lise tile hinged handle must be flopped over every half turn. I lIsed a few of these devices to glue lip a run of cabinet doors, and they did a fine job of keeping the stock nice and flat. But at $58 apiece for the 38-in. units, tiley seem a bit pricey. Rali Presses can also be affixed front of a bench and used to clamp stock vertically. They come in several sizes. For more information, contact Gross Stabil at (800) 671-0838. to 38 FIN E WOO D W 0 R KIN G -Gary Williams the It's a vise and clamp, all in one. The Rali Press from Gross 5tabil can be used as-is or screwed down to a work surface. PhOIO, this page (101'): Mario Rodriguez quirks are the result of Kelly attempting to keep the tools affordable. For example, the No. 4 shoulder plane sells for $195, the No. 1 spokeshave is 70, and the chisel plane costs $90. Those are very reasonable prices for handmade tools that perform well. To order, contact the company at (760) 376-4804. -Mario Rodriguez